When he was in high school, Patrick Williams was named “Most Dedicated Rower” by his crew coach, not because he was the strongest or the best, but because of his commendable perseverance and effort. Now, as a project manager for aviation and site development, that dedication and commitment has paid off. Patrick hit the ground running when he first came to Urban. As a recently graduated engineer, his first project was the PHL Runway 17-35 Extension, where he rose from a new hire to the project’s main point-of-contact. This project, now a favorite of his to remember, set the hardworking standard that would become his career. He has since climbed impressively through the ranks, achieving his goal of becoming a project manager and still continuing to set more, now aiming to one day advance to the executive level. “Of course it’s hard; if it was easy than everyone would do it. It’s the ‘hard’ that makes it great,” said Patrick, quoting Tom Hanks. The idea of self-persistence inspired by these words holds powerful meaning to him in both his professional and personal life.

Patrick’s strong will and heart reveal themselves outside of the office in his love for his wife and home, as well as his involvement in organizations ranging from professional groups like the American Society of Civil Engineers and Airports Consultants Council to groups that give back to his community, including the Young Friends of Independence National Historical Park and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Neighborhood Tree Tenders. Though he no longer rows crew competitively, he still remains active. He enjoys prioritizing physical fitness and is even a certified personal trainer with the American Sports and Fitness Association, a testament to his unceasing efforts and perseverance that first won him that award in high school. That same motivation carries him through every project he works on, where seeing the finished constructed product in action is the greatest award he could ask for. While others might call it a “challenge,” (and it is) in Patrick’s point of view it is simply an “opportunity to succeed.”